A stiffener system includes a stiffener and a fastener means. The stiffener includes an extruded body that includes a plurality of projections. The stiffener couples to the apparatus to facilitate increasing a structural integrity of the apparatus. The fastener means secures the stiffener to the apparatus.
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1. A method for increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of an apparatus, said method comprising:
providing a single stiffener including an extruded, corrugated body including a plurality of projections; and coupling the single stiffener to the apparatus with a mechanical fastener such that the projections circumscribe the apparatus to facilitate increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of the apparatus, and such that a first end of the stiffener is coupled against a second end of the same stiffener.
14. A stiffener system comprising:
a single stiffener comprising an extruded, corrugated body extending between a first end and a second end, said body comprising a plurality of projections, said single stiffener configured to couple to an apparatus such that said body first end is coupled against said body second end such that said projections circumscribe the apparatus to facilitate increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of the apparatus; and a fastener means for securing said stiffener to the apparatus.
7. A single stiffener for an apparatus, said single stiffener comprising a corrugated body comprising a first end, a second end, and a plurality of projections extending therebetween, said stiffener coupled to the apparatus by a mechanical fastener such that said projections circumscribe the apparatus, and such that said body first end is coupled against said body second end such that said stiffener facilitates increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of the apparatus, said stiffener uncoupleable from the apparatus when said mechanical fastener is released.
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This invention relates generally to structural support devices and more particularly, methods and apparatus for providing structural support to an apparatus.
As machinery operates, components coupled to the machinery may be subjected to vibrational stresses. Over time, continued exposure to vibrational stresses may cause damage to such components.
To facilitate reducing the effects of vibrational stresses, at least some known machinery components include structural supports. For example, within some known gas turbine engines, tubular components are reinforced with external brackets. Other known tubular components are reinforced with complex damping systems. However, such external supports are expensive and may be difficult to couple to attached components. Furthermore, depending on a length of the component, as the component is distressed, bending moments may be generated between the external support structures over time, such bending moments may weaken the components and eventually reduce a useful life of the component.
In one aspect of the invention a stiffener for an apparatus is provided. The stiffener includes a body including a plurality of projections. The stiffener couples to the apparatus such that the projections circumscribe the apparatus and such that the stiffener facilitates increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of the apparatus.
In another aspect of the invention, a stiffener system including a stiffener and a fastening means is provided. The stiffener includes an extruded body that includes a plurality of projections. The stiffener couples to the apparatus to facilitate increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of the apparatus. The fastener means secures the stiffener to the apparatus.
In a further aspect, a method for increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of the apparatus is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a stiffener including an extruded body including a plurality of projections and coupling the stiffener to the apparatus such that the projections circumscribe the apparatus to facilitate increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of the apparatus.
In the exemplary embodiment, projections 12 are substantially identical and extend substantially perpendicularly from stiffener bottom surface 16. More specifically, projections 12 are arranged in a cyclic pattern and extend lengthwise and widthwise across stiffener 10 in a longitudinal-axial configuration. Adjacent projections 12 are substantially parallel to each other, and each projection 12 includes a bottom surface 26, a top surface 28, and a pair of sidewalls 30 and 32. In the exemplary embodiment, projection 12 top surface 28 and sidewalls 30 and 32 define a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile. Alternatively, projection 12 defines a non-rectangular cross-sectional profile. For example, projection 12 defines, but is not limited to defining, at least one of a circular, a triangular, and a T-shaped cross-sectional profile. In an alternative embodiment, projections 12 are aligned at an angle with respect to a centerline (not shown) of stiffener 10. In a further alternative embodiment, projections 12 are arranged in a helical configuration.
In use, stiffener 10 is coupled to an apparatus (not shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, stiffener 10 is coupled to apparatus 34 such that projections 12 circumscribe apparatus 34, and projections 12 extend radially outward from apparatus 34. Stiffener 10 is secured to apparatus 34 using a fastener means (Not shown in FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the fastener means is an adhesive fastener such as, but is not limited to, a metal glue or a plastic glue. In another embodiment, the fastener means is an adhesive, such as, but not limited to, a double-sided tape, a masking tape, a electrical tape, or a duct tape. In a further embodiment, the fastener means is a mechanical fastener, such as, but not limited to, a nut and bolt, screws, rivets, staples, or clamps.
In use, stiffener 10 is coupled to apparatus 34, and facilitates increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of apparatus 34. During operation, stiffener 10 increases a diameter 38 of apparatus 34, and provides a local increase in stiffness and a corresponding increase in the natural frequency as apparatus 34 deflects.
Outer cover 102 extends across stiffener 100 and has a thickness 104 that is measured between a bottom surface 106 and a top surface 108. Thickness 104 is variably selected depending on an intended use of stiffener 100 and to ensure stiffener 100 has a pre-determined flexibility for the intended use. Outer cover 102 has a length 22 and a width 24 (Shown in FIG. 1), both of which are variably selected depending on an intended use of outer cover 102. In one embodiment, outer cover 102 is formed from a single sheet of metallic material. In a further embodiment, outer cover 102 is formed from a non-metallic material. Alternatively, outer cover 102 is formed from a plurality of sheets connected together.
Projections 12 extend substantially perpendicularly from stiffener bottom surface 16. More specifically, projections 12 are arranged in a cyclic pattern and extend lengthwise and widthwise across stiffener 100. Adjacent projections 12 are substantially parallel to each other, and each projection 12 includes a bottom surface 114, a top surface 116, and a pair of sidewalls 118 and 120. In the exemplary embodiment, projection 12 top surface 116 and sidewalls 118 and 120 define a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional profile. Alternatively, each projection 12 defines a non-T-shaped cross-sectional profile. For example, such cross-sectional profiles include, but are not limited to, I-shaped, L-shaped, and V-shaped cross-sectional profiles.
In the exemplary embodiment, outer cover 102 is attached to stiffener 100 by a fastener means 122. Fastener means 122 extends through a portion 124 of outer cover 102. In one embodiment, fastener means 122 is an adhesive fastener, such as, but not limited to, a metal glue or a plastic glue. In another embodiment, fastener means 122 is an adhesive fastener, such as, but not limited to, double-sided tape, masking tape, electrical tape, or duct tape. In a further embodiment, fastener means 122 is a mechanical fastener, such as, but not limited to, nut and bolt, screws, rivets, staples, and clamps.
In use, outer cover 102 is attached to stiffener 100 and stiffener 100 is attached to apparatus 34, to facilitate increasing a stiffness-to-mass ratio of apparatus 34. During operation, stiffener 100 increases a diameter 126 of apparatus 34, and provides a local increase in stiffness and a corresponding increase in the natural frequency as apparatus 34 deflects. In one embodiment, stiffener 100 is attached to apparatus 34 to circumscribe an exterior of apparatus 34. In a further embodiment, stiffener 100 is attached to apparatus 34 to circumscribe an interior cavity defined within apparatus 34. Outer cover 102 facilitates an increase in strength, and a reduction in installation time of stiffener 100.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
Czachor, Robert Paul, Barron, Michael Leon
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Aug 06 2001 | CZACHOR, ROBERT PAUL | General Electric Company | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 012082 | /0942 | |
Aug 08 2001 | BARRON, MICHAEL LEON | General Electric Company | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 012082 | /0942 | |
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